Means to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet



May 20, 1969 B J. RALSTON 3,444,390

MEANS TO CONNECT AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE TO A WATER FAUCET FiledMay 26, 1966 Sheet of 2 w FlG.\

INVENTOR. BOBBY I RALSTON BYgmuggb HIS ATTORNEY May 20, 1969 J. RALSTONMEANS TO CONNECT AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE TO A WATER FAUQET SheetFiled May 26, 1966 INVENTOR BOBBY J". RALSTON BY m a k H \S ATTORNEYUnited States Patent MEANS T0 CONNECT AN AUTOMATIC WASH- ING MACHINE TOA WATER FAUCET Bobby J. Ralston, Louisville, Ky., assignor to GeneralElectric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 26, 1966, Ser. No.553,238

Int. Cl. E03b 7/07; F16k 13/00; F16] 29/00 US. Cl. 137-562 7 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Improved coupling means for connecting anautomatic washing machine to a faucet. The improved means comprises abody portion adapted to be secured to the faucet. At least onepassageway extends through the body portion and is adapted to receiveliquid from the faucet. The passageway extends to a coupling spout onthe body portion that is adapted to be coupled to a washing machineliquid inlet hose. A valve element is provided that is movable relativeto the body portion and has an opening that is adapted to be selectivelymoved into and out of registry with the passageway. Latching means isprovided on the movable valve element that is movable with the elementto latch the hose against dislodgment from the body portion when theelement is in registry with the passageway.

This invention relates generally to a coupling means and, moreparticularly, to a means to removably connect an automatic washingmachine to a water faucet.

Many devices are commercially available for use in connecting a washingmachine to a source of liquid. These devices range from a threaded hosecoupling to a more elaborate combined water source connector andeffluent discharge outlet. The latter, a water source connector havingan effluent discharge outlet combined therewith, is the type mostcommonly used with portable automatic dishwashing machines. This type isparticularly useful with a portable diswasher since dishwashers arecommonly used in the kitchen at which location the source of liquid(faucet) is almost invariably associated with an effluent dischargereceptacle (sink drain). It has therefore become quite common to combinethe connector for a portable dishwasher with the efiiuent dischargeoutlet so that, with manipulation of a single device, the housewife mayset up both the water connection and the efiiuent discharge connection.

The combination connector and effluent discharge, though obviouslyadvantageous in many respects, presents some disadvantages. For example,the housewife may desire to draw water from the kitchen faucet while theconnector is attached thereto. An entire wash cycle of an automaticdishwasher includes several separate admissions of water so that theconnector must remain connected to the faucet throughout substantiallyall of the wash cycle, with the exception of the terminal portion of thecycle at which time the dishes are being dried and no water is required.It is a nuisance to the housewife to be unable to draw water from thekitchen faucet during this time that the dishwasher is connected and,since most present day faucets emit both hot and cold water from thesame outlet, the housewife is unable to draw either hot or cold water.Solutions have been suggested to this problem but in most cases, thesuggested solutions have created new problems in that the devicesproposed have been either difiicult to operate or expensive tomanufacture.

Another problem frequently encountered with a dishwasher connectingmeans is that created by the inlet valve to the dishwasher beingpositioned downstream from the "ice connection at the water faucet. Whenthe dishwasher has completed operation, the water present at theconnection to the faucet is under pressure, and when the connector isuncoupled, liquid is frequently forcedly ejected from either the hose orthe faucet creating an obviously unhappy situation.

Also, with many of the connecting devices presently available, it ispossible to disconnect the connector from the faucet without previouslyturning off the faucet so that, as the disconnection is affected, waterunder pressure may be sprayed from the faucet in a direction wherein itis not readily received by the sink.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide means to connect anautomatic washing machine to a water faucet which is easy and simple touse, inexpensive to manufacture, allows the housewife to draw water fromthe faucet while the washing machine is connected thereto, relieves anyresidual pressure at the coupling before the washing machine isdisconnected therefrom, and compensates for the inadvertent failure toturn off the faucet prior to disconnecting the washing machine.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide animproved means to connect an automatic washing machine to a waterfaucet.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved connectormeans for an automatic washing machine which is simple to operate butyet inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedconnector means for an automatic washing machine which bleeds off anyresidual pressure at the coupling before the washing machine may bedisconnected.

-It is another object of this invention to provide an improved connectormeans for an automatic washing machine which compensates for theinadvertent failure to turn off the water faucet prior to disconnectingthe washing machine.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improvedconnector means for an automatic washing machine which will allow theoperator of the washing machine to draw water from the faucet while thewashing machine is connected thereto.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,I provide a coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a waterfaucet comprising a body portion with means to secure the body portionto the faucet. Two passageways are provided through the body portion andare adapted to receive liquid from the faucet. A coupling spout extendsfrom the body portion and is adapted to engage in liquidtightrelationship with a fitting on a washing machine inlet hose. One of thepassageways extends through the coupling spout to transmit liquidthrough the fitting and the hose. The other passageway extends throughthe body portion and is directed to eject Water directly from the bodyportion into a sink or other receptacle disposed therebelow. A movablevalve element is provided to selectively open communication betweeneither of the passageways and the faucet. A latching means is providedand is movable with the valve element to latch the fitting againstdislodgment from the spout when the valve element opens that passagewayextending through the coupling spout.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention, it is believed the invention will be better understood fromthe following description taken in connection with the accom panyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, ofthe coupling of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the valve element inan operative position different from that of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the valve element inyet another operative position;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 1 but showingthe latching means in the position of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 1, showingthe latching means in the position of FIGURES 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof,thereto, there is illustrated a substantially conventional water faucet10 disposed above a sink 11, it being understood that controls (notshown) are provided to control the admission of hot and cold water tothe faucet 10. It should also be understood that sink 11 is providedwith a drain (not shown) which leads to a conventional household sewersystem. A water inlet hose 12 extends from an automatic washing machine(not shown) and is adapted to convey water from faucet 10 to the washingmachine. The washing machine is provided with an inlet water valve tocontrol admission of water to the washing machine in predeterminedrelationship with the sequential operation of the washing machine. Anefiluent discharge hose 13 similarily extends from the automatic washingmachine and is connected to the washing machine to receive the vitiatedwash fluid and conduct it from the machine to a receptacle such as sink11. Hoses 12 and 13 are secured to a member 14 which may be molded ofplastic and which has formed therein a passageway 15 to direct theefiluent fluid from hose 13 downwardly into sink 11. Similarly, member14 defines passageway 16 which is in alignment with hose 12. At one sideof member 14, a short cylindrical tube 17 is embedded therein andprojects outwardly therefrom to conduct to hose 12. At the other side ofthe member 14, a fitting 18 is similarly embedded in member 14 and isprovided with an annular recess 19 adapted to receive a seal 20. Fitting18 is adapted to engage a coupling spout 21 in liquidtight relationshipin a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Faucet 10, as is conventional, has a screw thread 22 which normallyreceives an aerator to minimize splashing of water as it discharges fromthe faucet. Although screw thread 22 is shown as an external thread, itis to be understood that some faucets are provided with an internalthread to be used with an aerator having an external thread. Of course,the present invention may be adapted for use with either type of thread.In accordance with the present invention, a coupling, shown generally at23, is secured to faucet 10 by means of a cylindrical threaded element24. A bolt 25 is received in a central threaded opening in element 24and serves to clamp a body portion or member 26 into rigid engagementwith element 24. The central threaded opening in element 24 is disposedin a depending boss 27 which has a cylindrical outer surface. Thecentral portion 28 of member 26 is brought into rigid engagement withthe lower end of boss 27 by the bolt 25. Thus, member 26 and element 24remain relatively stationary with respect to faucet 10.

The lower end of member 26 may be provided with external screw threads(not shown) substantially identical to screw threads 22 so that anaerator 29 may be secured thereto. Member 26 has passageways 30 and 31 4extending therethrough with passageway 31 opening out the bottom ofmember 26 and into the aerator 29'. Passageway 30 extends through member26 and out through coupling spout 21 to be in substantial alignment withpassageway 16 of member 14 when fitting 18 is coupled to spout 21.

Disposed above member 26 is a movable valve element 32 which has acentral opening therethrough to receive boss 27. Valve element 32 isrotatable about boss 27. Valve element 32 has an elongated opening 33therethrough which can be brought into registry with either ofpassageways 30 or 31 by movement of valve element 32. FIGURE 3 showsvalve element 32 positioned such that opening 33 is in registry withpassageway 31 and FIGURE 5 illustrates valve element 32 in a positionwherein opening 33 is in registry with passageway 30.

Cylindrical threaded element 24 has a plurality of openings 34therethrough which allow water to flow from faucet 10 down throughopening 33 and then into either passageway 30 or 31 depending upon therelationship of opening 33 with the passageways. An annular seal 35 isprovided between element 24 and valve element 32 to prevent water fromleaking out through the area between these parts. A handle 36 may beprovided to facilitate manual movement of the valve element 32.

At this point, it should be obvious that the present invention providesselective passage of Water from faucet 10 through either of passageways30 or 31 depending upon the position of valve element 32 and opening 33.When opening 33 is in registry with passageway 31, water will passdirectly from faucet 10 through aerator 29 and into sink 11 or any otherreceptacle disposed below aerator 29. When opening 33 is in registrywith passageway 30, the water will be directed from faucet 10 into hose12 for admission to the washing machine.

Referring now to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, it can be seen that valve element32 has a generally cylindrical latching means 37 rigidly secured theretofor movement therewith. Latching means 37 includes a circumferentialslot 38 with an enlarged portion 39 at one end thereof. The enlargedportion 39 is sufficiently large to receive fitting 18 whereas theremainder of slot 38 is too small to accept fitting 18. Fitting 18 has apair of slots 40 and 41 which are spaced from each other a distance lessthan the width of the slot 38 so that, once fitting 18 is slipped overcoupling spout 21, latching means 37 may be moved relative to fitting 18and member 26 with the upper and lower portions of latching means 37,which define the narrow portion of slot 38, being received by slots 40and 41. Once this has been done, fitting 18 cannot be removed from spot21 until latching means 37 is again moved to an extent wherein enlargedportion 39 is in registry with fitting 18. Because latching means 37 andvalve element 32 move together, and further because of the relationshipbetween enlarged portion 39 of slot 38 in latching means 37 and opening33 in valve element 32, fitting 18 cannot be removed from spot 21 untilpassageway 30 has been closed by valve element 32.

The foregoing arrangement, although compensating for inadvertent failureto turn 01f faucet 10 prior to removing fitting 18 from spout 21, wouldnot in itself prevent inadvertent discharge of water through spout 21when fitting 18 is not coupled thereto. In order to avoid thispossibility, the present invention provides means to prevent opening ofpassageway 30 until such time as fitting 18 is coupled to spout 21. Thisis accomplished by means of a spring-biased stop 42 which has a smalltab 43 projecting outwardly therefrom to engage and prevent rotation oflatching means 37 when in its extended position as illustrated inFIGURES 6 and 8. When fitting 18 is coupled to spout 21, fiitting 18engages tab 43, and, as slots 40 and 41 are brought into alignment withlatching means 36, stop 42 is forced inwardly to the positionillustrated in FIGURE 7 which retracts tab 43 from its interferingposition with latching means 37. Thus, when fitting 18 is properlycoupled to spout 21, latching means 37, and valve element 32, are freeto rotate so that opening 33 may be brought into registry passageway 30.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides means to preventinadvertent removal of the washing machine inlet hose from the couplingwhen faucet is opened. Moreover, the present invention does allowremoval of the hose from the coupling when faucet 10 is inadvertentlyleft open without escape of water through spout 21 by automaticallyrequiring closing of passageway before fitting 18 can be removed fromspout 21. Additionally, the present invention prevents the opening ofpassageway 30, which could result in the escape of liquid through spout21 if faucet 10 were opened, until such time as fitting 18 is properlycouple to spout 21.

As mentioned earlier, another problem which is frequently attendant witha device to connect an automatic washing machine to a faucet is that ofresidual pressure after the faucet has been turned off. In other words,there is usually provided a water inlet valve on the automatic washingmachine which selectively admits water to the washing machine atpredetermined times throughout the dishwasher cycle. When the faucet isopen, as is the case when the washing machine is connected thereto, andthe water inlet valve on the washing machine closes at the lastadmission of water to the washing machine, there is in existence apressure at the coupling between the washing machine hose and thefaucet. Closing of the faucet does not dissipate this pressure butsimply traps it between the faucet and the washing machine inlet valve.Thus, under these circumstances, there is frequent- 1y a violentmomentary escape of liquid when the washing machine hose is uncoupledfrom the faucet. The present invention automatically compensates forthis by spacing passageways 30 and 31 from each other a distance lessthan the length of opening 33 so that, when valve element 32 is closedpreparatory to disconnection of fitting 28 from spout 21 passageway 30is vented to the atmosphere through passageway 31 as valve element 32passes through the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 which isintermediate the position wherein fitting 18 is latched onto spout 21and the position wherein fitting 18 is unlatched and may be removed fromspout 21. This brief venting of passageway 30 to the atmosphere throughpassageway 31 dissipates any residual pressure within passageway 30 sothat fitting 18 may be removed from spout 21 without escape of liquidthrough spout 21 during uncoupling.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides means toconnect an automatic washing machine to a water faucet which is easy andsimple to use, inexpensive to manufacture, allows the housewife to drawwater from-the faucet While the washing machine is connected thereto,relieves any residual pressure at the coupling before the washingmachine is disconnected therefrom, and compensates for the inadvertentfailure to turn off the faucet prior to disconnecting the washingmachine.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucetcomprising:

(a) a general elongated body portion,

(b) means at one end of said body portion to secure the coupling to thefaucet,

(c) at least one passageway within said body portion adapted to receiveliquid from the faucet,

(d) a coupling spout extending from said body portion and adapted toengage in liquid-tight relationship a fitting on a washing machine inlethose,

(e) said passageway extending through said coupling spout to transmitthe liquid through the fitting and the hose,

(f) a manually-movable valve element to selectively open communicationbetween said' passageway and the faucet, and

(g) a latching means movable with said valve element to latch thefitting against dislodgment from said spout as said valve element openssaid passageway.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a spring-biased stophaving an operative position wherein it prevents movement of said valveelement, said stop being adapted for engagement by the fitting andmovement by the fitting into an inoperative position wherein it allowsmovement of said valve element.

3. The invention of claim I particularly adapted for use with a faucetdisposed above a sink and further comprising a second passagewayextending through said body portion and opening into the sink, saidvalve element having an opening therethrough adapted to be brought intoregistry with either of said passageways to selectively open and closeeither passageway.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said passageways are spaced fromeach other and the opening through said valve element is sufficientlyelongated to at least partially open both of said passagewayssimultaneously.

5. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucetdisposed above a sink comprising:

(a) a cylindrical threaded element adapted to be threadedly connected tothe water faucet,

(b) a member rigidly secured to said threaded elements,

(0) first and second passageways within said member,

(d) an aerator secured to said member and opening into the sink,

(e) said first passageway communicating directly with said aerator,

(f) a generally cylindrical spout extending laterally from said memberand adapted to receive a fitting on a washing machine inlet hose inwater-tight relationship,

(g) said second passageway extending through said spout,

(h) a valve element manually movable relative to said threaded elementand said member and having therein an elongated opening adapted to bebrought into registry with either of said first and second passageways,

(i) a latching means rigidly secured to said valve element for movementtherewith into a latching position to secure the fitting againstdislodgment from said spout when said elongated opening moves intoregistry with said second passageway, and

(j) a spring-biased stop having an extended operative position whereinit prevents movement of said valve element,

(k) said stop being adapted for engagement by the fitting and movementby the fitting into a retracted inoperative position wherein it allowsmovement of said valve element.

6. A coupling to connect .an automatic washing machine to a water faucetdisposed above a sink comprising:

(a) a body portion adapted to be secured to the faucet,

(b) first and second passageways through said body portion,

(c) said first passageway opening into the sink,

((1) means associated with said body portion adapted to couple with awashing machine inlet hose in liquid-tight relationship therewith,

(e) said second passageway communicating with the inlet hose when theinlet hose is coupled to said means,

(f) a valve element movable relative to said body 7 portion and havingan opening therein adapted to be brought into registry with either ofsaid first and second passageways, and

(g) latching means movable with said valve element into a latchingposition wherein the washing machine inlet hose is secured againstdislodgment when said valve element is in registry with said secondpassageway.

7. A coupling to connect an automatic washing machine to a water faucetdisposed above a sink comprising:

(a) a body portion adapted to be secured to the faucet,

(b) first and second passageways through said body portion,

(c) said first passageway opening into the sink,

(d) means associated with said body portion adapted to couple with awashing machine inlet hose in liquid-tight relationship therewith,

(e) said second passageway communicating with the inlet hose when theinlet hose is coupled to said means,

(f) a valve element movable relative to said body M. CARY NELSON,Primary Examiner. M. O. STURM, Assistant Examiner.

portion and having an opening therein adapted to be brought intoregistry with either of said first and second passageways, and

(g) a stop movable between at least two positions and adapted to beengaged by the inlet hose and moved from one of said positions to theother as the inlet hose is coupled to said means, said stop preventingmovement of said valve member toward the position wherein said openingis in registry with said second passageway when said stop is in said oneof said positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1961 Jagusch "137-562 8/1964Williams 137-62546 US. Cl. X.R.

